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Train this openingAbout this opening
White has developed a third piece and left the bishop at home, so nothing is attacked and you get a free hand. Nf6 is the most played answer here and it invites the Four Knights, which is solid and symmetrical. Bc5 is more ambitious, developing to the square that eyes f2 and daring White to chase it. Bb4 pins the knight and adds pressure to e4, which is a nuisance because White has not yet defended that pawn a second time. Look at the scores: Black does well from all of these, because a knight on c3 blocks White's own c-pawn and takes away the c3 and d4 plan the Italian relies on.
Plans
- Play Nf6 for a solid symmetrical game.
- Pin the knight with Bb4 and press the pawn on e4.
- Develop the bishop to c5 aiming at f2.
- Castle short and prepare d5 to free the position.
Where the pieces belong
- Knight: f6, adding a second attacker to e4
- Bishop: b4, pinning the defender of e4
- Bishop: c5, the active diagonal toward f2
- Pawn: d6, holding e5 solidly
- King: castled short by move six
Balanced and slow. The knight on c3 blocks White's c-pawn, so the usual plan of c3 and d4 is unavailable and play often revolves around d5 instead.